A review of great epidemics (rat-borne, plague, smallpox, cholera, influenza, rabies, tuberculosis) reveals the devastation they have caused. Success in the battle against these is being won through hygiene, sanitation, vector control, and vaccines, especially since microbiology has provided a rational understanding of the diseases. (Author/JN)

Assessment of employment trends for minorities and women in health care settings supports the hypothesis that discriminatory employment practices, particularly in the government sector, are directly related to the health status of racial/ethnic minorities. It is therefore important that minorities be given jobs in policymaking positions in health…

Considers ethical obligations of counselors to their clients and to third parties in cases where counselors learn that their sexually active clients carry Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Applies ethical theory to limits of confidentiality in cases where sexually active client has Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Develops model rule defining…

Describes Primary Care/Substance Abuse Linkage Initiative, federal effort to improve integration of health care services. Identifies barriers to achieving initiative's objectives: health care reimbursement issues; problems of professional/public attitudes toward alcohol/drug dependency and treatment; substance abuse treatment service deficiencies;…

This publication presents information on physical activity among children and youth. Section 1 discusses physical activity patterns of young people, explaining that the issue has been a concern for educators and health professionals for several years because of the trend for children to become less and less active over time. Section 2 looks at how…

This report describes recent progress in knowledge on alcohol abuse and alcoholism. These topics are covered: (1) alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including drinking patterns, etiology, and alcohol dependence as a disease; (2) epidemiology, including morbidity and deaths; (3) genetics and environment, including twin and adoption studies, animal…

Suggests that social support systems offer a new avenue toward primary prevention, since social networks provide social meaning and psychological import to the term "community." Examines the nature and health protective effects of social support in the light of the historical evolution of community psychology as a discipline. (Author/AOS)

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded several grants to study effects of and possible solutions to the problem of "acid rain"; pollution from atmospheric nitric and sulfuric acids. The research program is administered through North Carolina State University at Raleigh and will focus on biological effects of acid rain. (JMF)

Explores conceptions of health and health promotion that have emerged over the past decade, considering implications for school health personnel and presenting activities that incorporate the emerging ideas. Discusses health promotion principles and values; implications for school health personnel; and a community-level quality of life model that…

This document notes that a recent threat to American's youth is the risk of infection from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It views youth at high risk for alcohol or other drug use as also being, in all probability, at highest risk for exposure to HIV, and suggests that programs set up to prevent adolescents from becoming involved with…

This report provides information about the health effects of passive smoking, the types of policies that are in force in the public and private sectors to control workplace smoking, and the costs and effects of those policies. The executive summary briefly highlights the three major areas of the report: (1) a review of the studies of health…

The latest epidemic, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is ending an unprecedented interval of optimism about medicine's ability to conquer illness. (MSE)

Information on bats is provided, focusing on their diversity and distribution, characteristics, food habits, activities, roosting and social habits, reproduction, number of young and size at birth, hibernation, mortality and longevity, and movements and navigation. Additional information related to public health/disease concerns and bat management…

Presents model for adolescent health behavior, Pre-Adult Health Decision-Making Model, which takes into account differential information processing from peers, parents, or through critical or reflexive self-analysis. Reviews psychological and sociological literature on adolescent development, adolescent health behaviors, and Acquired Immune…

Discusses environmental hazards, the problems of misinformation and contradictory information, and the problems for children in sorting out fact from hearsay. Includes tips for protecting children from environmental hazards and describes a program at the University of Washington that develops curriculum materials and other teacher resources. (PVD)